I didn’t get my act together to link Twitter to this blog, so for the tweets I managed on the trip itself, scoot over to www.twitter.com/mikeburn

The trip, for Christian Aid, was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life, and full details will be released in due course, once the CA materials start to be released.

On Fri 29 July we were thrilled by the news of the arrival of grandson, Benjamin Bowler, with Beckie and Matt exhausted but proud parents.

It’s given me fresh inspiration to get a cracking with establishing Rising Generation Music as a vehicle for songs and resources for all ages, especially children – there is always a fresh generation who need to hear the story!

Really not a morning person, so a taxi to Heathrow at 4am always tests my cheerfulness, but it is the first step of a journey to Sierra Leone with Christian Aid, a small team and a film crew. I love Africa, and the chance to see a new country, and get a glimpse of the situation in some remote rural areas, and to see what CA are doing to help end poverty, is a huge privelege. Slightly daunted, and very excited. Taxi’s here.

I will aim to get a full review of this brilliant new CD from David up soon, but in the meanwhile, scoot over to www.davidlylemorris.com and order yourself a copy - it’s an excellent recording.

I was invited recently by Christian Aid to join them on a trip to Sierra Leone in June 2011, to film material for their Christian Aid week materials for 2012. This is a really exciting opportunity to visit a new country in Africa and see the difference that the CA projects, people and partnerships can make there. I am hoping to write a song or two as part of the experience, ideally in partnership with some locals if time permits while we are there. More details to follow!

We’ve been planning for some time to set up our own publishing arrangements, and have a launch date in mind now of July 1, so will aim to update the blog between now and then of what is planned. We’re really excited about the possiblities for RGM, and the freedom it will give us to make even more of our songs and resources freely available. Watch this space…

Sadly, little Quinn died a week or so ago, and Adam and Suzy Mills had the terrible task of having him cremated last Friday. I found my thoughts constantly returning to them through the day – what a desperate loss to bear. But, they have each other and their families, and they have the ultimate comfort that we do not grieve as those who are without hope grieve. One day, they will be reunited, and until then, they will never quite be the same, and can only see through a glass darkly, but will live in hope and truth.

Quinn’s brief life reminded me of the death of my brother at the age of 14 in a tragic mountaineering accident. In clearing through some stuff at my Dad’s house recently, I came across the record of the inscription in Christoper’s entry in the Book of Remembrance when he was cremated in 1972. It was this quotation: “The dream has ended; this is the morning”. Taken from the last chapter of the last book in CS Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles, The Last Battle, it reminded me that we live now in the Shadowlands, but one day we will awake to a bright new morning.

We received the stocks of CD’s just before setting off for Revive, so were able to give the album a mini launch there, which was great. We’ll get it added to the online shop shortly, and details of the full album launch in 2011 will be coming in due course.

Nephew of Tom Mills, who produced iPraise for us, and grandson of Ishmael, pioneer of children’s worship in the UK, little Quinn is gravely ill. Please pray for him – thank you.

Details here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=109855339044766

Manufacture is under way – here is a first peek of Caro Swan’s brilliant cover design